Christmas: The Babe from Bethlehem

The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 

- John 1:14

The Christmas Crèche was introduced to the world by St. Francis of Assisi. It is a great symbol of the Christmas Season and one that should draw us in each year to ponder and reflect.

The story of the first Christmas Crèche is a story written by Br. Thomas of Celano. It is known as Christmas at Greccio. Br. Thomas writes, “Burning with excessive love, Francis often calls Christ the “babe from Bethlehem” when he means to call him Jesus. He seems to lick his lips whenever he uses the expressions “Jesus” or “babe from Bethlehem,” tasting the word on his happy palate and savoring the sweetness of the word.”  (The Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano)

May we, filled with love and hope, join with St. Francis this Christmas and all through the New Year in declaring Christ – the Babe from Bethlehem among us.

The Babe from Bethlehem

The Babe from Bethlehem who

Born in a stable,

Became a refugee,

Trusted in his parent’s love,

Grew in wisdom and stature,

Went about his Father’s business.

The Babe from Bethlehem who would (grow up to)

Face temptations,

Show compassion to the sick,

Embrace a child,

Call men and women to life,

Empower many with hope.

The Babe from Bethlehem who would

Gather at table with friends,

Leave a lasting memorial,

Face ridicule, insults and beatings,

Bear the weight of a cross,

Give his all out of love.

The Babe from Bethlehem who would

Destroy death and sin,

Bring new life to all creation,

Breathe his spirit into us,

Fill us with grace upon grace,

Draw people and nations to himself.

The Babe from Bethlehem who would

Move generation after generation,

Transform reality,

Establish the kingdom of God,

Live and move and breathe through countless saints,

Form the law of love.

The Babe from Bethlehem who would

Encompass the heart of Francis,

Challenge the way of life of Francis,

Rebuild the Church through Francis,

Be made known in the rule of Francis,

Be sweetness and fullness of living for Francis.

The Babe from Bethlehem who still today is

Present among us always,

Brought to birth by our actions and words,

Cause for our hope and joy,

Nourishment for our journey,

Our way, our truth, our life.

The Babe from Bethlehem… Jesus… our Brother and Savior.

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. 

– Matthew 28. 20

May we be crib dwellers this holy season and may we carry the Babe from Bethlehem with us into our daily living.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Advent 4: Gathered At Table

As Advent very quickly slips into Christmas the thought of gathering at table has been on my mind. I’m sure over the past month we have all gathered at several tables of all shapes and sizes to celebrate the season and will continue to do so over the weeks ahead. The idea of sitting at table came to mind as I thought of people and places that will not know the joy of Christmas this year. It also settled deep in my heart this week as I heard news of the sudden death of my cousin Bradley. Bradley’s death reminded me the importance of gathering at table, cherishing conversations, going beyond our comfort zones, celebrating life and being aware that we are bearers of light. Bradley will be missed by many people however his kindness, his laughter and his joy will linger and remind me that Christ is with us in our sorrows, in our joys, in what seems like darkness and what is His light. I am grateful for the gift of Bradley’s life and the invitation to the Table of Life that he now enjoys in fullness. My attention is again drawn to the festive tables both you and I will gather at in the days to come.

As we gather to feast and celebrate the Christ Child, I want to draw your attention to the empty chair at the table. It’s there, can you see it? Not the one left to the side but rather the one right there next to our loved one, or neighbour or relative. Take a look at that chair and see it not as empty rather as a reminder that our feast is incomplete. Take a look at that chair and see it not as empty rather as an invitation. Take a look at that chair and see it not as empty rather as a conversation waiting to lead us into the New Year.

The chair is not empty, and several cultures traditionally leave a chair and place setting empty at the Christmas Feast to remind them of the Christ Child among us.

So do not see that chair as empty rather see someone sitting there that will not have a feast to share in reminding us our feast is incomplete. Is that a family from the Holy Land? Is that a family from the fire wiped out parts of California? Is that a family from the Hurricane ravaged parts of our world?

Or maybe see someone whose feasting is now a reward. Is it a loved one who has died and we miss? Or is it someone who died from senseless violence? Maybe it is someone who was killed in a tragedy this past year (the train derailment, school bus and tourist bus crash, ferry sinking of recent weeks come to mind)?

The chair is not empty, and several cultures traditionally leave a chair and place setting empty at the Christmas Feast to remind them of the Christ Child among us.

So do not see the chair as empty rather see someone who needs an invitation to join in the feast. Is that a family dealing with trauma? Is that a family in sorrow? Is that a refugee new to our country? Is that brother or sister from another religion who has faced persecution and hatred?

Or maybe it is someone from that list of ours. That neighbour we have been avoiding? That friend whom we last spoke angry words to? That relative who has been on the fringes?

The chair is not empty, and several cultures traditionally leave a chair and place setting empty at the Christmas Feast to remind them of the Christ Child among us.

So do not see the chair as empty rather see someone who is inviting us to conversation. Is that the young Mexican journalist killed at his child’s Christmas concert and we discuss freedom of speech and persecution? Is it a child from Myanmar and we discuss safety and human rights? Is it a teenager from Syria and we discuss power and powerlessness?

Or maybe it is a conversation that we dance around and it’s time to make it concrete. Is it about how we as a family will reach out to our community and our global family? Is it about organ donation? Is it about gratitude and how we can show it more? Is it about living with less and being more aware of our choices?

I will sit at several tables over the next few weeks and I will enjoy good food and good people and I hope I will see that empty chair and see the Babe from Bethlehem there among us. The Babe from Bethlehem who reminds us that he is indeed among us always and that the chair is not empty. The choice is mine. The choice is yours. Do we choose Christ as Advent ends, as Christmas draws near and the New Year dawns? Who will sit at our table this Christmas time?

Christ Child Come,

Oh Babe from Bethlehem Come

Dwell among us and sit among us.

Lead us to your crib,

May we courageous take you in our arms,

Receive you humbly and gratefully,

Carry your cross with hope, with peace and with joy.

Come to our feast O Child of God,

for we know that we are always welcome at Your Feast,

Come O Come Emmanuel, do not delay.

Advent 3: Encountering Family

This is Joseph.

We see him each day down the street, across the riser, trudging home from a shift, making schedules work, worn hands and deep eyes.

I encountered him the other day at an appointment. He obviously straight from the site, his little one held close, fitting in a doctor’s appointment for his child, being dad, being brave, being strong.

This is Joseph, the man Jesus called dad. A man who calls us to trust, to be present, to be brave and to be strong.

Where have you encountered Joseph this Advent? Are you on the lookout for him this week?

This is Mary.

We see her each day crossing the street, in the school parking lot, behind the grocery counter, making schedules work, tender hands and deep eyes.

I encountered her the other day, fairly new to this country, learning new roles and responsibilities. Doing the best for her family so they can simply live, being mom, being brave, being strong.

This is Mary, the woman Jesus called mom. A woman who calls us to be open, to give our all, to be brave and to be strong.

Where have you encountered Mary this Advent? Are you on the lookout for her this week?

This is Jesus.

We see him each day on the news, in the paper, in our neighborhoods, on the playground. He is the face of the child encountering war, facing famine, seeking shelter, left abandoned.

I encountered him the other day, his eyes piercing back from a newsfeed, not lost in the chaos around him rather he looked hopeful, he seemed to be asking, “Can you carry me?” “Can you take me in your arms?” “Can you find my manger in your community?” He simply was being child, being brave, being strong.

This is Jesus, the child who taught us to call God “Abba”. The child who calls us to trust, to be open, to be brave and to be strong.

Where have you encountered the Christ Child this Advent? Are you on the lookout for him this week?

This is Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Your family, my family, their family, our family, the holy family.

We see them each day in our churches, running errands, at the store, across the street, peering back from the paper, seeking peace, starting anew, looking for answers, striving for freedom, trying to be family.

Where do we encounter the Holy Family?

The image above is where this reflection all began for me a few weeks ago. I saw this family and I saw Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and so many families of the world both near and far. I asked myself where and when have I encountered you? When have I welcomed you? When have I been able to give you shelter? When have I acknowledged that you are holy?

I must be brave, I must be strong for the Spirit of the Lord calls me, calls us all to be bearers of good news, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty and to exult God (Isaiah 61. 1-2, 10-11).

In these days leading up to Christmas, in our busyness and full schedules where can we live out the call of the prophet Isaiah? How can we do this? Will the mangers of our hearts and homes be ready to welcome the Holy Family? Are we brave enough and courageous enough?

Let us prepare our hearts,

let us be people of faith,

let us truly look and not glance away,

let us gaze upon and enter into

their story and our story,

not quenching the Spirit,

rather rejoicing always (1 Thess. 5. 16-24)

in the gift of being child,

being spouse, parent, sibling,

being family in God.

May we encounter Emmanuel not only in these final days of Advent and at Christmas time but in the all the moments of our lives.

Blessings to you in these final days of Advent.

 

Advent 2: God's Steadfast Love

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, grant us your salvation. – Psalm 85

Where is God’s love shown to us?

I ponder this as we move into Advent Week 2. I know and believe that God’s love is shown forth to us each day in small ways and grand ways. From a kind word, to a sunrise, to an anonymous outreach of compassion, to the rhythm of prayer and so on these all speak of God’s steadfast love. For God’s everlasting, permanent love is infused in our lives regardless if we notice it or not. Being a child of God means that I am open to experiencing this love when my days are beautiful and smooth and when my days are broken and rough. God’s love penetrates my day and life, regardless of how I feel, where I am or what I am doing. Thank goodness for that for this is a taste of salvation; this opens me up to the kingdom of peace and justice. This is God’s goodness poured into my life even when I may be blinded to it. This is the peace that is offered to me when my heart is restless and also when it is in tune. This is the kingdom I belong to and yet yearn for and the one I am called to build.

                God’s steadfast love is just that constant and always. In this season of preparation, of joyful expectation, of hope – when our world fill us with demands and pressures, provides us with illusions and tells us “you need this or must give this” – this season of Advent reminds us that God’s love breaks through it all. Advent calls us back to the message of the gospels: “I am with you always!” because our God’s love is constant, true and steadfast. Advent call us to open our hearts to the redemption that is always ours; that was made known to us through a young woman’s willingness to say “yes” and then her child who laid in a manger.

God’s steadfast love

was present when the earth began to breath.

God’s steadfast love is present still in each of us,

it is the gift of peace.

God’s steadfast love

was proclaimed in ages past by prophets and by kings.

God’s steadfast love is still acclaimed,

a message that will not cease.

               

God’s steadfast love

was desired by nations small and great,

God’s steadfast love they tried to conquer

how foolish of a way to reason.

God’s steadfast love

would not be restricted or tethered down it seems.

God’s steadfast love is always love,

not matter if we leave it battered, bruised or beaten.

God’s steadfast love

was heralded as coming nigh.

God’s steadfast love among us here,

for us, for you, for me?

God’s steadfast love

freedom that is the way of life.

God’s steadfast love is healing us,

the grace designed to be.

God’s steadfast love

the plan unfolds to reveal God’s very Son.

God’s steadfast love a woman’s “yes”, a child’s birth,

love revealed without decay.

God’s steadfast love

beyond the walls and barriers we still create.

God’s steadfast love a constant path,

that leads us on God’s way.

God’s steadfast love

has come to us with open hands and heart.

God’s steadfast love made for us,

no need to turn or run.

God’s steadfast love

dwells in us and lives among us.

God’s steadfast love calls each of us

to be a tabernacle for God’s Son.

God’s steadfast love

the guiding light to fill our Advent days.

God’s steadfast love is our hope,

for God’s faithfulness is always true.

God’s steadfast love

is always, constant, and forever.

God’s steadfast love for each of us,

for them, for us, for me, for you.

Come Lord do not delay!

May your steadfast love be light for our Advent days.

Blessings on your Advent Week.

Advent 1: Keep Awake

“And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” – Mark 13.37

Keep Awake is the appeal of Advent.

Keep awake my heart

so I may be and share love.

Keep awake my eyes

so I may see God among us.

Keep awake my ears

so I may hear the cry of the poor.

Keep awake my mouth

so I may raise my voice in praise.

Keep awake my hands

so I may do what is mine to do.

Keep awake my feet

so I may go where God needs me.

Keep awake my life

so I may encounter Emmanuel.

Keep awake in the Advent journey

and grasp how Emmanuel is calling

my life to be transformed this season.

Keep awake and be on guard

to choose life-giving, soul-stirring,
purposeful actions in this season
of joy, hope, peace and love.

Keep Awake!

Blessings on the Advent journey!